Smart cage culture system

Abstract

The smart cage aquaculture system according to the present invention comprises a buoyancy body, a cage net supported by the buoyancy body to partition a growth space, a shelter that surrounds the growth space to contain seawater in the growth space and is open at the top and bottom, a water temperature control unit that supplies cold or hot air to the seawater contained by the shelter, and a control unit that controls the water temperature control unit according to the water temperature of the growth space. By using the smart cage aquaculture system according to the present invention as described above, there is an advantage in that the water temperature of the growth space can be controlled more effectively.

Description

Technology Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a smart cage aquaculture system capable of controlling the water temperature of a growth space partitioned by a cage net. Background Technology

[0002] Cage farming is a facility for artificially raising fish and shellfish by suspending cages made of netting in seawater, either floating on the surface or suspended underwater, and is widely used, especially for the farming of fish and shellfish species with high added value.

[0003] However, aquaculture involves high work intensity in areas such as feed supply, stocking, and shipment. With the fishing village population rapidly declining and the aging rate becoming severe, there has recently been a significant increase in cases transitioning from past labor-intensive aquaculture systems to future-oriented, advanced ICT-converged smart aquaculture systems.

[0004] In other words, the ICT-converged smart aquaculture system is intended to monitor the aquaculture environment in real time using environmental sensors or underwater drones capable of measuring water temperature, salinity, DO, pH, suspended solids, CO2, nitrogen levels, and water exchange volume; to collect data from this; to remotely control equipment such as feed suppliers and oxygen generators; and to establish an unmanned fishery management system using smartphones.

[0005] In particular, the low-temperature period in winter is characterized by water temperatures dropping below 4°C for consecutive days, falling rapidly, or remaining lower than average, while the high-temperature period in summer is characterized by water temperatures rising above 28°C for consecutive days, increasing rapidly, or remaining higher than average. During these periods of high and low temperatures, fish and shellfish lose their physiological balance, experience reduced digestive capacity, and suffer from a lack of dissolved oxygen. This leads to extended fasting periods, poor growth, and a decline in marketability, often resulting in mass mortality and significant economic losses. Furthermore, high-value fish and shellfish such as red sea bream and grouper are sometimes moved to overwintering grounds for cultivation during the winter; however, this process consumes significant labor, time, and costs, leading to reduced competitiveness and high mortality rates due to stress.

[0006] Therefore, an important aspect of smart aquaculture systems is establishing a system capable of artificially controlling water temperature to prevent damage during periods of high and low temperatures and to shorten the fasting period.

[0007] Korean Registered Patent Publication No. 10-0737725 (Registration Date: July 4, 2007) discloses a 'red tide eradication device for cage aquaculture farms.' Upon examining this prior patent, it is possible to completely eradicate red tides sensitive to changes in water temperature by using an air cooler to spray cold and hot air into a cage aquaculture farm to induce changes in water temperature, thereby enabling effective prevention of damage caused by red tides.

[0008] However, the aforementioned prior art patent has a problem in that even if cold and hot air are injected into a cage fish farm and can affect the water temperature around the cold and hot air pipes, there are limitations in controlling the water temperature of the entire cage fish farm due to the significant heat loss caused by the massive amount of seawater entering and leaving the farm.

[0009] In addition, to adequately regulate the water temperature in cage aquaculture farms to prevent damage during periods of high and low temperatures, there are issues such as the need to install countless cold and hot air pipes, require air compressors with enormous capacities, and operate them for extended periods. Prior art literature

[0010] Republic of Korea Registered Patent Publication No. 10-0737725 The problem to be solved

[0011] The present invention has been devised to solve the aforementioned problems and aims to provide a smart cage aquaculture system capable of more effectively controlling water temperature by supplying hot or cold air while confining seawater in the growth space. means of solving the problem

[0012] A smart cage aquaculture system according to the present invention for realizing the above-mentioned problem comprises: a buoyancy body; a cage net supported by the buoyancy body and partitioning a growth space; a shelter that surrounds the growth space to contain seawater in the growth space and is open at the top and bottom; a water temperature control unit that supplies cold or hot air to the seawater contained by the shelter; and a control unit that controls the water temperature control unit according to the water temperature of the growth space.

[0013] The above shelter may include a hollow cage that forms a hollow surrounding the growth space and has its upper end connected to the buoyancy body.

[0014] Alternatively, the shelter may include a plurality of shelter frames, each positioned below the buoyancy body and connected to one another along the circumference of the buoyancy body to surround the growth space, and having an opening formed therein, and a plurality of opening / closing panels positioned at the openings of the shelter frames, which open and close the openings of the shelter frames in conjunction with the water temperature control unit by the control unit.

[0015] Alternatively, the shelter may include a hollow air tube whose upper end is connected to the buoyancy body and which expands and contracts in the vertical direction by pneumatic pressure in conjunction with the water temperature control unit by the control unit.

[0016] The above shelter may include insulation.

[0017] The above-described water temperature control unit may include an air compressor controlled by the control unit, a vortex tube that separates compressed air supplied from the air compressor into low-temperature air and high-temperature air, a hot air supply pipe that guides the high-temperature air separated from the vortex tube to the lower part of the growth space, a cold air supply pipe that guides the low-temperature air separated from the vortex tube to the upper part of the growth space, an exhaust pipe that discharges the high-temperature air or low-temperature air separated from the vortex tube into the air, and a valve body that is controlled by the control unit and, when supplying hot air to the growth space, guides the high-temperature air separated from the vortex tube to the hot air supply pipe and the low-temperature air to the exhaust pipe, and when supplying cold air to the growth space, guides the high-temperature air separated from the vortex tube to the exhaust pipe and the low-temperature air to the cold air supply pipe. Effects of the invention

[0018] The smart cage aquaculture system according to the present invention can reduce the mortality rate caused by high or low water temperatures and shorten the fasting period by supplying cold or hot air to the growth space while the seawater in the growth space, partitioned by a cage net, is contained in a shelter during low water temperatures in winter or high water temperatures in summer, thereby improving productivity and increasing added value by increasing the shipment weight when aquacultured for the same period as conventional methods.

[0019] In addition, the present invention has the effect of increasing productivity or added value because it allows the growth environment of cage aquaculture to not be hindered by the shelter, by trapping the seawater in the growth space with a shelter when the water temperature of the growth space is controlled, but opening the growth space so that the seawater can freely enter and exit when the temperature is warm and no water temperature control is required. Brief explanation of the drawing

[0020] FIG. 1 is a perspective view illustrating a part of a smart cage aquaculture system according to a first embodiment of the present invention. Figure 2 is a drawing showing a partial cut of the smart cage aquaculture system illustrated in Figure 1. Figure 3 is a cross-sectional view along line AA of Figure 1, showing the state when hot air is supplied. Figure 4 is a cross-sectional view along line AA of Figure 1, showing the state when cold air is supplied. Figure 5 is a schematic diagram showing the vortex tube illustrated in Figure 1. FIG. 6 is a perspective view illustrating a part of a smart cage aquaculture system according to a second embodiment of the present invention, showing a state in which seawater in the growth space is confined. Figure 7 shows the state in which the growth space is open in the smart cage aquaculture system illustrated in Figure 6. FIG. 8 is a perspective view illustrating a part of a smart cage aquaculture system according to a third embodiment of the present invention, showing a state in which seawater in the growth space is confined. Figure 9 shows the state in which the growth space is open in the smart cage aquaculture system illustrated in Figure 8. FIG. 10 is a perspective view illustrating a part of a smart cage aquaculture system according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention, showing a state in which seawater in the growth space is confined. Figure 11 shows the state in which the growth space is open in the smart cage aquaculture system illustrated in Figure 10. Specific details for implementing the invention

[0021] A preferred embodiment of the present invention is described as follows with reference to the attached drawings.

[0022] FIGS. 1 to 5 are drawings illustrating a smart cage aquaculture system according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

[0023] A smart cage aquaculture system according to the first embodiment of the present invention comprises a buoyancy body (10), a cage net (20) supported by the buoyancy body (10) and spread out below the sea surface to partition a growth space for trapping and growing fish and shellfish, a shelter (30) that surrounds the growth space to trap seawater in the growth space and is open vertically, a water temperature control unit (40) that supplies cold air or hot air to the seawater trapped by the shelter (30), and a control unit (50) that controls the water temperature control unit (40) according to the water temperature of the growth space.

[0024] The buoyancy body (10) can be implemented as is generally applied in cage aquaculture. For example, the buoyancy body (10) may include a frame (12) to which a cage net (20) is attached and which has an opening (12a) formed that is open vertically and connected to a growth space, and a plurality of buoys (14) disposed on the lower side of the frame (12) to provide buoyancy so that the frame (12) can float on the water surface. A plurality of openings (12a) may be formed in the frame (12), and a cage net (20) may be disposed in each opening (12a).

[0025] The cage net (20) is a net that can confine fish and shellfish by partitioning the growth space, but cannot confine seawater.

[0026] Accordingly, the shelter (30) is made of a wall that traps seawater within the growth space and blocks horizontal movement of seawater through the shelter (30), but may include a hollow cage (100) that surrounds the growth space and forms a hollow space that is open vertically so that seawater can move vertically and freely enter and exit the growth space.

[0027] The cage (100) can be fixed in a state where its open top is connected to the frame (12) of the buoyancy body (10) and surrounds the growth space below the water surface.

[0028] The cage (100) can be formed in various shapes, whether circular or square, as long as it is hollow and open at the top and bottom. For example, as illustrated, the cage (100) can be formed in a square shape that is placed along the edge of a square frame (12).

[0029] Additionally, the cage (100) may be placed inside the cage net (20) or outside the cage net (20).

[0030] Additionally, when there are multiple cage nets (20), the cage (100) may be formed in a size capable of accommodating all of the multiple cage nets (20) at once, as illustrated. Alternatively, although not illustrated, the cage (100) may be formed in a size capable of accommodating each cage net (20) individually, so that multiple cages (100) may be provided in a single frame (12) corresponding to the multiple cage nets (20), but it is not necessarily limited to this.

[0031] The cage (100) may be made of any material that can block the horizontal movement of seawater through the cage (100). For example, the cage (100) is preferably made of a lightweight rubber or plastic material that is easy to transport and store, so that it is installed in the cage aquaculture facility only during periods of high or low water temperature, and can be separated from the buoyancy body (10) and stored in a separate space during other periods, but it is not necessarily limited to this.

[0032] Meanwhile, the cage (100) may be made of an insulating material with excellent thermal insulation properties or may be made of a structure in which multiple layers are stacked in the thickness direction, and at least one layer may be made of an insulating material. Therefore, when cold air or hot air is supplied to the growing space, heat loss from the growing space through the cage (100) can be significantly reduced.

[0033] The water temperature control unit (40) is configured to control the water temperature using a vortex tube (42), and specifically includes an air compressor (41) that compresses air to high pressure, a vortex tube (42) that separates the compressed air supplied from the air compressor (41) into low-temperature air and high-temperature air, a hot air supply pipe (45) that guides the high-temperature air separated from the vortex tube (42) into a growth space, a cold air supply pipe (46) that guides the low-temperature air separated from the vortex tube (42) into a growth space, an exhaust pipe (47) that discharges the high-temperature air or low-temperature air separated from the vortex tube (42) into the air, and a valve body (48) that allows the low-temperature air or high-temperature air separated from the vortex tube (42) to be guided into the growth space optionally.

[0034] That is, the vortex tube (42) is a structure capable of separating compressed air from the air compressor (41) into hot and cold streams. That is, when compressed air from the air compressor (41) is ejected toward the vortex chamber (42a) of the vortex tube (42), it accelerates and rotates at a high speed of about 1 million RPM. Due to the conical nozzle (42c) at one end of the vortex tube (42), that is, the hot air outlet (42b), only the air (A1) rotating on the outside escapes, and the remaining air (A2) that cannot escape receives a force to return in the opposite direction inside the outer vortex vortex, forming a secondary vortex and returning to escape through the other end of the vortex tube (42), that is, the cold air outlet (42d). At this time, the rotation rate of the outer vortex and the inner vortex is the same, but the kinetic speed of the outer vortex is higher, so the difference in kinetic energy between the outer and inner sides is converted into heat, causing the temperature of the air (A1) rotating on the outside to rise and the temperature of the air (A2) rotating on the inside to fall, thereby creating cold air and hot air. The temperature of the hot air discharged from this vortex tube (42) can rise to about 200°C, and the temperature of the cold air can be lowered to about 50°C.

[0035] It is desirable for the hot air supply pipe (45) to guide the hot air to the lower part of the growth space. That is, due to convection, the hot air supplied from the hot air supply pipe (45) rises, and as the cold seawater in the growth space sinks, the water temperature of the growth space can rise evenly. A number of hot air supply pipes (45) may be arranged horizontally at predetermined intervals in the lower part of the growth space.

[0036] It is desirable for the cold air supply pipe (46) to guide cold air to the upper part of the growth space. That is, the cold air supplied from the cold air supply pipe (46) can lower the temperature of the seawater in the growth space as it sinks due to convection. A number of cold air supply pipes (46) may be arranged horizontally at predetermined intervals in the upper part of the growth space.

[0037] The exhaust pipe (47) is provided to protrude above the water surface, and can be configured to discharge cold or hot air as far away from the cage fish farm as possible.

[0038] The valve body (48) controls the flow path by selectively opening and closing the pipes. When hot air is supplied to the growing space, the high-temperature air separated from the vortex tube (42) is guided to the hot air supply pipe (45) and the low-temperature air to the exhaust pipe (47). When cold air is supplied to the growing space, the low-temperature air separated from the vortex tube (42) is guided to the cold air supply pipe (46) and the high-temperature air to the exhaust pipe (47).

[0039] The control unit (50) collects information on the growth environment in real time from an environmental sensor (51) that measures the water temperature, salinity, dissolved oxygen content, pH, etc. of the growth space, and when it is determined that the water temperature of the growth space is not suitable for the growth of fish and shellfish, it drives the water temperature control unit (40).

[0040] For example, if the water temperature of the growing space is 4°C or lower for 3 days or more during winter, or if the water temperature drops sharply by 2 to 3°C or more compared to the previous day, or if the water temperature is 2 to 3°C or more lower than the average year, the water temperature control unit (40) can be driven by the control unit (50) so that hot air can be supplied to the growing space.

[0041] Alternatively, if the water temperature of the growing space is 28°C or higher for 3 days or more during the summer, or if the water temperature rises rapidly by 2 to 3°C or more compared to the previous day, or if the water temperature is 2 to 3°C or higher than the average year, the water temperature control unit (40) can be driven by the control unit (50) so that cold air can be supplied to the growing space.

[0042] The effects of the smart cage aquaculture system according to one embodiment of the present invention configured as described above are explained in detail as follows.

[0043] In particular, referring to FIG. 3, if the water temperature is too low during the winter, the water temperature control unit (40) is driven by the control unit (50) and hot air is supplied to the growing space.

[0044] At this time, the seawater within the growth space is contained by the cage (100) of the shelter (30), and the inflow of seawater from the outside of the growth space through the cage (100) is blocked. The cage (100) is made of insulating material, and hot air is supplied at a high speed by the vortex tube (42). Since the hot air supplied to the lower part of the growth space can be evenly distributed to the growth space due to convection, the water temperature of the growth space can be raised to the desired temperature and maintained within a short period of time. Therefore, the mortality of fish and shellfish due to low water temperature can be reduced, and the fasting period of fish and shellfish can be shortened, thereby improving productivity. Furthermore, fish and shellfish can be grown larger than before within the same period, thereby increasing added value.

[0045] Meanwhile, referring particularly to FIG. 4, if the water temperature is too high during the summer, the water temperature control unit (40) is driven by the control unit (50) to supply cold air to the growing space.

[0046] Similarly, seawater within the growth space is contained by the cage (100) of the shelter (30), and the inflow of seawater through the cage (100) is blocked. The cage (100) is made of insulating material, and cold air is supplied at a rapid speed by the vortex tube (42). Because the cold air supplied to the upper part of the growth space sinks due to convection and can be evenly distributed throughout the growth space, the water temperature of the growth space can be lowered to the desired temperature and maintained within a short period of time. Therefore, mortality of fish and shellfish due to high water temperature can be reduced, and productivity can be improved as the fasting period of fish and shellfish can be shortened. Furthermore, fish and shellfish can be grown larger than before within the same period, thereby increasing added value.

[0047] Hereinafter, as illustrated in FIGS. 6 and FIGS. 7, a smart cage aquaculture system according to a second embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail as follows.

[0048] The smart cage aquaculture system according to the second embodiment of the present invention, similar to the first embodiment of the present invention described above, comprises a buoyancy body (not shown), a cage net (20), a shelter (30), a water temperature control unit (not shown), and a control unit (not shown), wherein the shelter (30) is configured to be an openable type that can be opened and closed in conjunction with the water temperature control unit by the control unit.

[0049] The openable shelter (30) may include a plurality of shelter frames (110), each positioned on the lower side of the buoyancy body (10) and connected to one another along the circumference of the buoyancy body (10) to surround the growing space, and a plurality of opening / closing panels (112) positioned at the opening (111) of the shelter frames (110) and configured to open / close the opening (111) of the shelter frames (110) in conjunction with a water temperature control unit by a control unit.

[0050] Each opening / closing panel (112) can be configured to open and close as a folding door structure. Accordingly, when supplying cold or hot air to the water temperature control unit, the opening / closing panel (112) is unfolded to trap seawater in the growth space as shown in FIG. 6, and when stopping the supply of cold or hot air, the opening / closing panel (112) is pushed to one side by power such as a motor and folded in multiple stages as shown in FIG. 7. Then, the growth space can be opened so that seawater does not stagnate and can freely enter and exit the cage net (20), allowing fish and shellfish to grow better.

[0051] Hereinafter, a smart cage aquaculture system according to the third embodiment of the present invention, as illustrated in FIGS. 8 and 9, will be described in detail as follows.

[0052] A smart cage aquaculture system according to the third embodiment of the present invention, similar to the second embodiment of the present invention described above, comprises a buoyancy body (not shown), a cage net (20), an openable shelter (30), a water temperature control unit (not shown), and a control unit (not shown). The openable shelter (30) comprises a plurality of shelter frames (210) and a plurality of openable panels (220), wherein each openable panel (220) may be composed of a plurality of louvers (222) that can open or close the gap between the shelter frames (210) by being laid down or erected according to rotational movement.

[0053] Accordingly, as shown in FIG. 8, when the louvers (222) are in a lying position, the opening (211) of the shelter frame (210) is blocked by the opening / closing panel (220), so that seawater within the growing space can be trapped. Alternatively, as shown in FIG. 9, when the louvers (222) are erected vertically with respect to the shelter frame (210), the opening (211) of the shelter frame (210) is opened, and the growing space can be opened.

[0054] As illustrated in FIGS. 10 and FIGS. 11, a smart cage aquaculture system according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail as follows.

[0055] The smart cage aquaculture system according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention, like the first embodiment of the present invention described above, comprises a buoyancy body (not shown), a cage net (20), an openable shelter (30), a water temperature control unit (not shown), and a control unit (not shown). The shelter (30) may include a hollow air tube (300) that is fixed at the top end by being coupled to the buoyancy body (10) and extends and retracts in the up and down direction by pneumatic pressure in conjunction with the water temperature control unit.

[0056] Accordingly, when cold air or hot air is supplied by the water temperature control unit, as shown in FIG. 10, if air pressure is supplied to the air tube (300) to inflate the air tube (300), the length of the air tube (300) increases in the vertical direction and surrounds the growth space, thereby trapping the seawater in the growth space. On the other hand, when cold air or hot air supply is not required, as shown in FIG. 11, if the air pressure supplied to the air tube (300) is released to contract the air tube (300), the length of the air tube (300) decreases, and the growth space can be opened without being surrounded by the air tube (300).

[0057] The technical concepts described in the embodiments of the present invention as described above may be implemented independently or in combination with one another. Furthermore, although the present invention has been described through embodiments described in the drawings and the detailed description of the invention, this is merely illustrative, and various modifications and equivalent alternative embodiments are possible therefrom for those skilled in the art to which the present invention pertains. Accordingly, the technical scope of protection of the present invention should be determined by the appended claims. Explanation of the symbols

[0058] 1 ; Growth space 10 ; Buoyancy body 20 ; cage net 30 ; shelter 40 ; Temperature control unit 42 ; Vortex tube 50 ; Control unit 100 ; Cage 110 ; Shelter frame 112 ; Opening / closing panel

Claims

Claim 1 A smart cage aquaculture system comprising: a buoyancy body; a cage net supported by the buoyancy body and partitioning a growth space; a shelter that surrounds the growth space to contain seawater in the growth space and is open vertically; a water temperature control unit that supplies cold or hot air to the seawater contained by the shelter; and a control unit that controls the water temperature control unit according to the water temperature of the growth space, wherein each of the shelters is positioned below the buoyancy body and is connected to one another along the circumference of the buoyancy body to surround the growth space and has an opening formed therein; a plurality of shelter frames; and a plurality of opening / closing panels positioned at the opening of the shelter frames and which open / close the opening of the shelter frames in conjunction with the water temperature control unit by the control unit. Claim 2 A smart cage aquaculture system according to claim 1, wherein the shelter forms a hollow surrounding the growth space and includes a hollow cage with its upper end connected to the buoyancy body. Claim 3 delete Claim 4 A smart cage aquaculture system comprising: a buoyancy body; a cage net supported by the buoyancy body and partitioning a growth space; a shelter that surrounds the growth space to contain seawater in the growth space and is open vertically; a water temperature control unit that supplies cold or hot air to the seawater contained by the shelter; and a control unit that controls the water temperature control unit according to the water temperature of the growth space, wherein the upper end of the shelter is connected to the buoyancy body and includes a hollow air tube that expands and contracts vertically by pneumatic pressure in conjunction with the water temperature control unit by the control unit. Claim 5 In any one of claims 1, 2, and 4, the shelter is a smart cage aquaculture system comprising an insulating material. Claim 6 A buoyancy body; a cage net supported by the buoyancy body and partitioning a growth space; a shelter that surrounds the growth space to contain seawater in the growth space and is open at the top and bottom; a water temperature control unit that supplies cold or hot air to the seawater contained by the shelter; and a control unit that controls the water temperature control unit according to the water temperature of the growth space, wherein the water temperature control unit includes an air compressor controlled by the control unit; a vortex tube that separates compressed air supplied from the air compressor into low-temperature air and high-temperature air; a hot air supply pipe that guides the high-temperature air separated from the vortex tube to the lower part of the growth space; a cold air supply pipe that guides the low-temperature air separated from the vortex tube to the upper part of the growth space; and an exhaust pipe that discharges the high-temperature air or low-temperature air separated from the vortex tube into the air. A smart cage aquaculture system comprising a valve body controlled by the above-described control unit, wherein when hot air is supplied to the growth space, the high-temperature air separated from the vortex tube is guided to the hot air supply pipe and the low-temperature air is guided to the exhaust pipe, and when cold air is supplied to the growth space, the high-temperature air separated from the vortex tube is guided to the exhaust pipe and the low-temperature air is guided to the cold air supply pipe.

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